The first U.S. public monument to Atheism is set to be unveiled outside a Florida courthouse later this month. It’s a granite bench engraved with secularist quotes. And weirdly, it owes its existence to the Ten Commandments.

Here’s how it happened. In October 2011, Bradford County, Florida established a “Free Speech Forum” outside its courthouse, allowing private groups to place monuments at their own expense. Last May, the Community Men’s Fellowship, a local Christian group, took advantage of that arrangement, placing a 5-foot, 6-ton stone slab engraved with the Bible’s Ten Commandments.

But that violated separation of church and state principles—or so alleged advocacy group American Atheists, which took Bradford County to court. Faced with a costly legal battle, the county asked the Community Men’s Fellowship to remove their monument. They refused.

So the case ended in a compromise: the Ten Commandments slab would stay, but American Atheists would be allowed to put up their own monument, as well. Hence, the 1,500 lb granite bench, which will be engraved with secularist quotes from figures like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, as well as American Atheists founder Madalyn Murray O’Hair.

“We have maintained from the beginning that the Ten Commandments doesn’t belong on government property,” said American Atheists President David Silverman in a press release. “There is no secular purpose for the monument whatsoever and it makes atheists feel like second-class citizens. But if keeping it there means we have the right to install our own monument, then installing our own is exactly what we’ll do.”

The bench will also feature quotes from the Bible listing punishments for breaking the Ten Commandments, like execution—a move that’s designed to “make it clear that the Ten Commandments are not the ‘great moral code’ they’re often portrayed to be,” as American Atheists Public Relations Director Dave Muscato has said.

The Community Men’s Fellowship’s Ken Weaver told the Christian Post that while they don’t agree with American Atheists’ stance on religion, they do believe in their right to freely express their beliefs. “God worked this out,” said the group in a Facebook statement.

This kerfuffle is just the latest in a growing number of conflicts about public displays of religion in the U.S., as the Huffington Postnotes. In February, for example, a district judge dismissed an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit, ruling that another Ten Commandments display in front of a Florida courthouse could remain. Similar quarrels have erupted over Ten Commandments displays in public schools in Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile, in a new Gallup poll, three quarters of Americans say that religion is losing influence on life in the U.S.—the most negative evaluation of the impact of religion in America since 1970.

Atheist do believe in God, because if they didn't they would not be trying to prove He does not exist. God will show him self real to the whole world real soon. God destroyed the world once because of Sodomy and unbelief and he can do it again. The people who don't believe that there is a God in heaven are in big trouble when they die.

Does anyone know where I can find the contect of the monuments statements? I don't understand what their beef is with the punishments for disobeying the 10 Commandments, if they don't obey them, and they don't believe, they will not be receiving those punishmets. Or is it that they do believe, and they fear the punishment for not acknowledging that belief?

J e s u s loves everyone: religious nuts, atheists, judges, lawyers, and scientists. J e s u s invites everyone to experience abundant life in HIM! He is a gentleman and He will not beg nor force a n y o n e to love Him back. Anyone interested read the gospel of John. Read "More than a Carpenter," "Mere Christianity" or "The Case for Christ." No debate, no monument will matter in the end, what will matter is what YOU believe... Jesus loves you beyond what you can ever imagine...

This is nuts. First Christians, then atheists, next I suppose some Muslim group will want their own monument. Then the Buddhists. Then the Mormons. Then the Rastafarians. And so on.. There's no end to religious foolishness or the many forms it can take. Why not just stop with some nice bushes and flowers, that EVERYBODY can enjoy?

Sounds more like an Anti-Christian monument, than a pro-Atheist
Monument, designed to criticize the 10 commandments (when you read the details on the monument). Seems to be similar to the Atheist billboards that made fun of Mormons
and Catholics last year.

Dear Atheists, it seems more like you are lashing out at others, than
trying to show that you live to a higher standard. I would suggest you take a higher road.However
if your goal is actually to lash out at organized religion, show some
balls, and pick on the Muslims....then we'd all be impressed.

@Bernadette@Jesus247So Christians do believe in Allah, because if they didn't they would not
be trying to prove he does not exist. Ragnarok, will show himself to
the whole world real soon. Enlili destroyed the world once because of
overpopulation. and he can do it again. The people that don't believe
that there is a Zeus on Mt. Olympus are in big trouble when they die.

@MarioArana... Sorry, people... You are so into your own hole ... You are fostering your own opinion as to look down on atheists as a second class ... What are you going to do? Perhaps declare Atheism a religion so you won't be arguing over something that doesn't exist ... Fact is, I do not need your dream because it has nothing to do with my reality ...

@philnaustin I don't have any brief for Muslims any more than for Christians, but they aren't as ubiquitous in the United States as are Christians of various sects. Christians have an exceedingly deeply ingrained sense of entitlement in America, and if they got shaken out of their complacency, that would be a good thing.

As for Islam, it's about 600 years younger than Christianity, and consider what Christianity was doing 600 years ago: the Inquisitions. Religions probably have the same general curve of maturity as do individual people, just over a longer time span.

It's also possible that, like Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny, they might eventually be outgrown.

What an odd and useless response to someone who expresses a belief of universal acceptance and love. I'm not sure what you think "arrogance" and "lies" mean, but comprehension is not your strong point. More substance and relevance in the future, please, Kevin.

@AndreyGorohovschi@philnaustinI believe that my point has been proved by my comments below. This isn't about pro-Atheist. This is about, as Piacevole said it "[christian] entitlement in America". It's an attack on specific religions. However, let's face it, no one, not even the Atheists are going to risk angering Muslims.

@philnaustin@AndreyGorohovschi The group which erected the original monument about the ten commandments was a 'Christian group.' The bench set up by the atheist group apparently (judging from the article) simply has secular quotations. How is this an "attack on specific religions?"